U.S.- U.K. Cooperative Research: Molecular Modeling of Fundamental Mechanisms Governing Protein-Surface Adsorption

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This one-year award supports US-UK cooperative research on engineering of biomaterials between Robert Latour of Clemson University and Larry Hench of Imperial College, London, United Kingdom. The objective of the research is to investigate model protein- surface adsorption behavior. The investigators will study the fundamental mechanisms governing protein adsorption at the three basic levels of protein structure: primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (configuration of molecular chains in helices, sheets, and loops), and tertiary (organization of secondary structures into the actual protein structure). Following the implantation of a biomaterial into the body, proteins rapidly adsorb onto the implant material's surface. Biologic response and the body's reaction to the implanted material are controlled by cellular reactions to this adsorbed protein layer. This project will advance our understanding of the mechanism controlling protein adsorption and adsorbed protein conformation and contribute toward the long-range goal of designing implant surfaces for controlled biologic response. It takes advantage of British expertise in biomaterials and protein sequencing at Imperial College and at the Interdisciplinary Research Center in Biomedical Materials at the University of London.